Dartmoor Cup - Marked Stones
Introduction
Cup-marks are circular depressions on rocks and are normally regarded as a phenomenon associated with northern Britain. They are often found on rocks built in Neolithic and Early Bronze Age monuments. Dating the cup marks is difficult; even if the megalithic monument can be dated, the cup marks may be a later addition.
Dr. Tom Greeves, who was the first Sites & Monuments Officer for the county of Devon and the first Archaeologist of Dartmoor National Park Authority, has located a number of possible prehistoric cup-marked stones on Dartmoor. These are the only known cup marked stones located in Devon.
Cup-marked stones found across Britain have intrigued archaeologists and enthusiasts for years, prompting ongoing debate about their origins and significance. They are often associated with ancient rituals, astronomical alignments, or even map markers, but their existence and meaning still remain a mystery. In Dartmoor, confusion often arises as these stones are mistaken for mortar stones due to their similar appearance and the prevalence of granite outcrops.
Drawing on Tom Greeves' research, I have identified potential prehistoric cup-marked stones on Dartmoor and captured them with a large format camera. In addition to photographing these stones, I've been creating clay imprints of specific cup marks.
Just as a photograph emerges from a negative, filling in these cup marks with clay brings their impressions to life. The resulting stoneware cups, which replicate the texture of the cup marks, are displayed alongside the photographs. I invite viewers to touch these textures and ponder the possible purposes behind the original cup marks.
This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.
This is a possible prehistoric cup-marked stone located near Holming Beam. The stone forms part of a wall and is positioned upside-down, with its original placement remaining unknown. The painted number 18 indicates potential prior usage by either the military or prison authorities from the nearby Princetown prison. This particular stone is the subject of debate regarding its classification as either a mortar stone or a prehistoric cup-marked stone, reflecting the intersection of the area's prehistoric and industrial past.